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Critical Outcome Technologies Looking for Partner to Develop New Molecules That May Help to Inhibit HIV Integrase

LONDON, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 5, 2011) - Critical Outcome Technologies Inc. (COTI) (TSX VENTURE:COT) announced today that it is seeking a new pharmaceutical partner to continue the development of its novel scaffolds for inhibiting HIV-1 integrase, as part of a program with the potential to lead to a new drug therapy to help fight the HIV virus.

Identified using CHEMSAS®, COTI's drug discovery technology, the novel small molecule scaffolds used in the HIV-1 integrase inhibitor program have shown encouraging results during recent testing in the Company's co-development program with a major pharmaceutical company. This agreement has now concluded as the partner has advised they will be suspending all new HIV-related work that is not already in an advanced stage in the clinic.

"We are very encouraged by the results of testing to date," said Dr. Wayne Danter, COTI's President and CEO. "We are pleased to be able to market the program to other interested pharmaceutical firms."

The significance of the results pertaining to these novel scaffolds is that the majority of HIV integrase inhibitors currently in development and marketed, interact and inhibit the enzyme in a very similar way (through a diketo acid type moiety). The first three novel scaffolds in COTI's program have an entirely new binding and interaction with the active site of the viral enzyme. These scaffolds have the potential to dramatically impact the market as their unique binding mode may be advantageous for patients who are resistant to the current class of HIV integrase inhibitors.

Dr. Danter also reported, "We are now in the process of finalizing several potential next generation HIV integrase inhibitor candidates based on our novel validated scaffolds."

These current testing results continue to validate the CHEMSAS® technology and demonstrate its capability to rapidly identify promising small molecules for difficult drug targets.

About HIV

According to the UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic 2010, there were 33.3 million people living with AIDS worldwide. In 2009, there were an estimated 2.6 million individuals who were newly infected. In 2009, the HIV market was estimated to be worth $12 billion globally and it is expected to grow to $16 billion by 2018. This growth is driven by the growing prevalence of HIV worldwide as well as the increasing life expectancy of those receiving treatment.

About Integrase Inhibitors

The development of HIV integrase inhibitors marked an important frontier in HIV research as integrase is one of the enzymes that researchers have had difficulty targeting. Data from large efficacy trials suggests that drug combinations containing an integrase inhibitor achieved substantial levels of viral suppression in patients with drug-resistant HIV. The response seen in patients was equivalent to that seen when highly active antiretroviral therapy became available. At present, there is only one FDA approved integrase inhibitor and there is a commercial and medical need for a second-generation product to address issues related to resistance and mutation with this product.

About Critical Outcome Technologies Inc. (COTI)

COTI is a leading-edge biotechnology firm specialized in assisting pharmaceutical, biotechnology and therapeutic companies with the accelerated discovery of small molecules to enable new drugs to be brought to market in a timelier, cost effective and efficient manner.

COTI'S proprietary technology CHEMSAS®, utilizes a series of predictive computer models to identify compounds most likely to be successfully incorporated in disease-specific drug discovery, as well as subsequent optimization and preclinical development. These compounds are targeted for a variety of diseases, particularly those for which current treatments are either lacking or ineffective.

COTI is located in London, Ontario and is publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol 'COT'.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contact Information

Critical Outcome Technologies Inc.Michael BarrVice President of Business Development and Marketing519-858-5157mbarr@criticaloutcome.com